By Ryan Burton
BoxingScene.com caught up with unbeaten super welterweight contender Julian "J Rock" Williams (22-0-1) in the aftermath of Canelo Alvarez's one-punch destruction of Amir Khan. In this Q&A Williams discusses the Khan fight, Canelo versus Gennady Golovkin, and a hypothetical showdown between himself and Canelo.
BoxingScene.com: What's going on Julian? First off what did you think of the Canelo-Khan fight?
Julian Williams: What's up Ryan! I'm good. I started training last week. Yeah man I thought it was a good fight. I want to congratulate Canelo man. He did what he had to do. It's not easy dealing with speed but he caught Khan's timing and took him out brutally. That was the KO of the year so far. I thought my man Thomas Williams had it but that was even more brutal. That was so brutal it bothered me a little bit to see that.
BoxingScene.com: While many people are praising Khan, and he certainly did well in spots, it seemed like Canelo got his timing down a little better each round up until the dramatic ending. What did you think of how the fight was playing out?
Julian Williams: Man, I really respect Khan. He fights some tough fights on the road and seems to take on all comers. But messing with Canelo was a tough move. Khan has had problems taking punches at 135 and 140. I was actually scared for him. I thought Khan was winning but you could see as the rounds were going on that Canelo was going to clip him.
As fast as Khan is, he's easy to set up. I boxed a guy like that before and their speed actually makes it worse for them because they only concentrate on one thing at a time and they don't see punches coming at them well. He doesn't even know it when he's being set up. When he gets hit he doesn't even see the punches coming. It's scary man. It's like a sucker punch.
Canelo was hitting him with a right hand to the body. Khan was looking for it. But Canelo has a way where he makes his sucker punch look the same as the punch before it. So Khan thought a right hand to the body was coming and Canelo brought it over the top. It was a beautiful shot.
BoxingScene.com: The WBC is saying Canelo has to fight Golovkin next. What do you think of that potential fight?
Julian Williams: The way GGG is looking right now he looks like a killing machine. But as a fighter I don't think of him like that. I believe he's the real deal but at the end of the day he's just a man. I think Canelo is a great fighter too.
Listen man, Canelo has willingly took some tough fights, Trout, Lara, Floyd. He even signed to fight Paul Williams before Williams's accident. So I personally think Canelo and his team are giving GGG too much respect. GGG can be hit and Canelo won't have to look for him. GGG is not the fastest guy in the world and Canelo has really good hand speed. On top of that Canelo has shown a good chin and judges always give him the benefit of the doubt.
Remember the judges had him up versus Khan and one judge gave him a draw vs Floyd and he was losing that fight big. I would favor GGG but I think Canelo can give him some work.
BoxingScene.com: Interesting point. Now if you were to get the call would you be willing to move up a pound to 155 or even the full 160 pound weight limit if need be to face Canelo?
Julian Williams: Hell yeah I would. Listen as much as I respect Canelo it's pretty obvious his team is not in a hurry to fight GGG. Canelo is saying who has GGG beat to deserve a shot at him but that doesn't make sense. Canelo fought Matthew Hatton for a vacant title at 154 and Hatton was a welterweight.
Man I didn't understand the business side of things when I first started boxing but I get it now. I know Canelo is the A side. I know he's a shot caller but I don't blame GGG for not going to 155. I wouldn't go to 150. I can't make it without hurting myself.
But guess what Ryan, I can make 155 or whatever other weight Canelo wanted. I know he needs an opponent and he don't want to bump with GGG. So yes I would take the fight. I'm the number 1 contender for the winner of Charlo vs Trout. But I would pass that up for a shot at Canelo. Canelo is the golden ticket.
BoxingScene.com: I know you can't get giveaway your secrets but I am sure you have envisioned how the potential match up would play out. What can you say about the fight hypothetically if it were to occur?
Julian Williams: The people at Golden Boy know what's up Ryan. Eric Gomez and Robert Diaz, the matchmakers at Golden Boy, know me well. I've fought on lots of their cards. BHop is a legend in Philly. He knows me. They know what I can do. I embarrassed one of their prospects Hugo Centeno so bad a few years ago the Mexican fans turned against the kid and they took the ass whipping off of youtube. I won't get into my game plan but it would be a master performance. I would be so paranoid that I would get robbed that I would dominate him. I know people don't believe that but I don't care. I would systematically destroy him. You can mark it down and quote me. I would dominate him!
BoxingScene.com: Any last worlds for the fans?
Julian Williams: Not really Ryan thanks for always showing me love.
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